Synthetic Grass: Quality Standards

As Good As Grass products are rigorously tested under laboratory conditions to provide our customers with a premium product. Synthetic grass has several key properties that can effect safety, durability and sports performance. The testing process is extensive and includes measuring the following – Shock Absobtion, Durability, Reaction and Tensile Strength.

“Shock Absorbtion” tests are performed to ensure the synthetic grass is suitable for child friendly lawns and school playgrounds. “Durability” measures the life expectancy of the artificial turf. “Reaction” tests show how a ball will react to the surface for roll, speed (effects of friction) and bounce; all reactions should realistically mimic real turf. “Tensile Strength” tests put intense strain on the compostition of materials used for the e-layer; namely the surface directly beneath the top layer of artificial grass.

Videos of the synthetic grass laboratory testing are available by clicking the thumbnails:

Tensile Strength

Shock Absorption

Reaction

Durability

Synthetic Grass: Research and Development

Quality testing gives us confidence that our products will meet all your requirements and provide you with a superior synthetic grass solution. To further improve on these standards, the laboratory results are also used for research and development purposes. The As Good As Grass product range is therefore comprised of the highest quality synthetic grass available on today’s market.

Tensile Strength: Electromechanical Tensile Tester

Tensile Strength is measured in MPa (Mega Pascals). Testing involves taking a small sample with a fixed cross-section area and then pulling it with a controlled, gradually increasing force until the sample changes shape or breaks.Specific recordings are taken for yield strength and breaking strength. The yield strength is the maximum MPa than can be exerted before the material becomes deformed (a lesser exertion would result in the material elastically returning to its previous shape). The breaking strength is the MPa required to cause a rupture in the material.

Shock Absorbance: Accelerometer

Shock absorbers must absorb or dissipate energy; this is especially true for safety surfaces in the artificial grass industry such as playground flooring or sports fields. The resistance to vertical pressure of the e-layer (shock padding directly beneath the artificial grass) creates an absorbing effect.To quantify the shock absorbance properties of artificial grass (with an e-layer), the accelerometer measures the acceleration it experiences relative to freefall in m/2² (metres per second squared).The accelerometer behaves as a damped mass on a spring. When the accelerometer experiences an external force such as gravity, the mass is displaced until the external force is balanced by the spring force. The displacement is translated into acceleration.

Reaction

The reaction properties of synthetic grass are of particular interest for sports use. The ball must roll, bounce and decelerate due to friction just like on real turf. A number of reaction tests are performed to ensure optimal performance.All sports have different expectations when it comes to ball reaction. Hockey fields need to be fast; tennis courts need good impact properties for bounce; football fields require a smooth ball roll. The tests required to meet any sport criteria are extensive and comprehensive. For “FIFA 1-Star” (football) or “FIH National” (hockey) certification, test results are published and each sports field is independently reviewed.

Durability: Stud Roll Machine

In sports, natural grass cannot be sustained as a high quality playing surface for more than 300 hours per year. For a sports field to be used more will result in grass patches and an overall worn appearance.The stud machine is able to simulate intense sports usage which enables us to determine how many hours can be endured by synthetic grass. Results typically show a minimum of 600 hours before any quality degradation in the field turf is realised.Although intense durability testing is primarily for professional sports turf, the benefits are far reaching. School playing fields, dog runs and even garden lawns benefit from durable synthetic grass. Imagine having a perfectly lush garden lawn all year round.

Synthetic Grass: Additional Information

For information on materials, the following pages may be of interest:Safety flooring by As Good As Grass; detailed images of materials.Wetpour is a popular alternative flooring; practical analysis.